PwC’s 2022 “Skies Without Limits v2.0” (SWL2) report described the potential for drones to positively impact the UK economy by 2030. It noted that drones are often faster, safer, cheaper and better for the environment than other options and that there were many barriers to overcome to unlock drone potential.
Now, in this updated report, we offer an insight into the progress (or otherwise) of the UK drone industry from 2021 to 2024, through the lens of ten exciting organisations. Drone applications range from BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) surveillance and inspection, to last-mile delivery, to crop spraying and seeding. Views on whether growth since 2021 has met expectations, and the level of progress against the potential barriers to growth identified in SWL2, are equally varied.
Overall, things are looking up. We have some enticing headlines such as daily BVLOS flights, routine BVLOS in unsegregated airspace, drones spraying chemicals and an “automotive-like” drone production line being set up in the UK.
However, if we look behind the headlines we find a more nuanced situation: BVLOS is severely restricted, chemical spraying is limited to uncontrolled substances and significant growth is usually driven by international rather than UK demand. Additionally, none of the organisations focusing on BVLOS consider they have achieved commercial volume in the UK.
The full report can be downloaded below, and the case studies featured are highlighted in the following table.
Original Case StudyUpdateOrganisationTeaming Manned and Unmanned to Deliver Effective Search And Rescue in UK WatersDaily BVLOS for surveillanceMaritime and Coastguard AgencyNew Logistics Using Existing Infrastructure to Connect CommunitiesAutomotive-like drone manufacturing in the UKWindracersFood, Parcel and Medical “Last Mile” Delivery – Could We Go a Little Faster?Last-mile drone delivery with “positive unit economics”MannaRemote Piloting Paving the Way for Autonomous BVLOSRegular BVLOS inspection in unsegregated airspacesees.aiThe Criticality of Integrating Drones with Business As UsualMore than 100% drone service provider growthCyberhawk Automating Traditional Agricultural PracticesSpraying and seeding in the UKAutospray Systems/ Drone AgRapid Response at Times of Environmental CrisisExpanding internal drone useEnvironment AgencyReducing Leaks with Smart SolutionsDeveloping inspection in confined spacesTeam UAVHighly Accurate Drones Keeping Passengers and Engineers Safe And Minimising Commuting DelaysEvolution of high accuracy solutionsPlowman CravenDigital Transformation in Stockpile AuditingIntegration of drones with business as usualPwC
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